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| >> Static Item >> Fiction >> Sci-fi >> ID #1368500 |   |
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Battle with Diana the Terrible (the Third Battle) “Ah, here it is! Xin-Ling Chan is an ensign now, and you lucked out with her. She’s still on SB Conqueror. One additional note: she’s signed up with Akleth’s Combat Training Class with a friend.” A long whistle escaped from the Cadet, piquing TJ’s curiosity. He noted the Irishman’s interest, and explained, continuing as if it had been the same thought he’d just finished. “…Though I don’t understand why she’d sign up with that kind of martial arts training behind her!” “’Tis indeed somethin’ o’ a wonder, isn’t it? Could I be askin’ ye just where I’d be findin’ this Akleth?” <>< <>< <>< <>< Lieutenant Barbara Johnson and Ensign Xin-Ling Chan approached the locale for Akleth’s class. Ever since they had signed up for training, Barbara could not understand why Xin-Ling, so well trained in Kung Fu, should need to take the course. Finally, no longer finding it easy to contain her curiosity, she asked her companion her reason for applying for the training. “It is simple, lieutenant; there are two reason,” Xin-Ling explained. “One, you good at fighting with war staff, and passable with hand-to-hand. But to master martial art, you simply need more training. I’ve heard of Akleth; he is good teacher. You learn much.” “And the other reason…?” drawled Barbara. Xin-Ling shrugged. “ It is never good to assume you know everything, even in your own field. You can learn from anyone at any level. Incorporate their good points into your own movement, and you will become better fighter.” The two entered the door of Akleth’s Combat Training Class, and made their way toward a circle of cadets that were sitting in a circle around a tall, standing Klingon. Standing on the grass were Alex and Peter, engaging in combat training with quarterstaffs under Akleth’s well-trained eye. The two officers came to the outer edge of the circle of spectators, sat, and watched as the two cadets fought. Peter swung his pole down very hard toward Alex's head. Alex raised his staff to block, and did so successfully. However, instead of drawing his staff back, Peter speared his staff directly down into Alex's right foot, then moved its end behind Alex's left foot and shoved. Alex went flying and landed heavily on the grass. “Fo’ a cadet, he handles the staff pretty well,” Barbara whispered as she leaned toward her companion. Xin-Ling simply nodded, but never moved her eyes from the match. Alex rose from the ground and forced his opponent backward across the meadow. Still watching the fight, Xin-Ling leaned toward Barbara and commented quietly, “You say he handle staff well? Could be, but he too easy to predict. That could work against him in real battle.” Alex, as Xin-Ling had whispered to Barbara, noticed the predictability in Peter’s technique. Without warning, he changed his attack slightly so that the end of his staff rapped Peter's knuckles, and then used the staff to sweep Peter's feet out briskly from under him. <>< <>< <>< <>< Roz stood and introduced herself to the newcomers. “My name is Roz Drouet. I was the one who came up for the idea of a training session in combat. Ensign Chan and Lieutenant Johnson, could you please honor us with a demonstration of your abilities?” Barbara looked slightly uncomfortable. Though she did have experience, she was never one to consider herself invincible. It was not an attitude she had been brought up to display. It just wasn’t “proper” for a Southern lady. She glanced over at Xin-Ling, who returned her glance and shrugged. “Do whatever you want to do. But I suggest you accept. You learn quicker that way,” Xin-Ling counseled. “An’ I did come here t’ learn combat trainin’, now didn’t I? I suppose no matter what, I have to fight.” “Just remember,” Xin-Ling advised, “the swimmer who make muscles tense by fear is swimmer who sink to bottom. Only swimmer who relax stay on top.” While they were talking, Art rose to his feet and walked over. “My name is Art Cline,” he said as he looked at Barbara. “I will challenge you. The ensign can go up against one of the holograms. Sound good?” They all nodded. Ensign Chan stepped up onto the mats, picking up one of the poles as she went past. Roz walked over to TJ. “So how good is she?” she asked him. “Xin-Ling?” he responded. “Sure, an’ she's one o’ th’ top fighters I've ever known.” Roz nodded and sat back down in her seat. “Computer,” she began, “upload Diana and situation RR23.” Instantly, the scene changed and they were transported to the streets of New York City. There was noise everywhere. <>< <>< <>< <>< TJ, noticing Roz had recently been injured, inquired as to what had happened, and Roz answered, “I sustained the scars from Diana yesterday. She scratched me with her nails. I then took care of her and exited the program.” “Ah, I see.” He could tell she wasn't telling the whole story but let it lie. “Could you be tellin’ me, will Ensign Chan be getting’ a challenge by facing Diana?” “Yes,” Roz smiled as she answered, “and I have a feeling that your friend won't come out unscathed from this combat.” “I wouldn’t be knowin’ about that, Roz. ‘Tis a far greater number o’ opponents I’ve seen Xin-Ling face.” “We’ll see” was all that Roz answered, and both turned their attention to the spectacle before them. <>< <>< <>< <>< Slowly, step by step, the Asian advanced through setting selected by Roz, holding her staff at readiness, and taking in the picture of all around her. It was twilight, and the clouds formed a blood-red pattern in the western sky. The noise was not coming from the bustling of people on the scene; thankfully, they were at a distance. But the noise of traffic drowned out most of the auditory signals she was used to using to tell her of the presence of the enemy in any confrontation. On either side of her, Xin-Ling noted tall residential structures, cold and unfeeling. Whatever she would be facing in this simulation, she would be facing alone. Not the first time for that. When she had passed a dark side opening between the structures, a figure holding a metal staff, who had been surprised by Xin-Ling’s passing, stepped quietly into the alleyway behind her. She stood half a head taller than the Asian, and smiled as she realized she had the advantage of height, and of an obviously more muscular build. Slowly, silently, Diana, the blonde, gray-eyed assailant who had stepped out of the shadows, approached behind the Asian officer. She gave strict attention to her advance so that it was silent as a jaguar in the jungle. She would be easy to defeat from a rear attack. As she neared striking range, Diana slid her left hand down the pole, and raised it like a club to come down with lethal force on the skull of the Asian. In an instant, it would be over. <>< <>< <>< <>< TJ was beginning to get nervous. It wasn’t that long ago on the USS Hanson that he’d almost lost his life in a holodeck session set on the ancient Island of Crete in the mountainous country on the outskirts of Knossos in the fourteenth century BC. Though he had set the safeties before entering, he had been confronted by an insane, gargantuan bull, and was only able to escape by using his walking staff to vault to a ledge on the mountainside. Even that, however, would not have been sufficient protection, as the ledge was beginning to crumble, and he would have plummeted down to his death at the mercy of the enraged animal. And it was on that ledge that he learned the safeties he had set were not functioning, and that his life was in serious jeopardy. It would have been the end of the Irishman, had not the celebrated hero, Alcides of Thebes, come over the horizon about that time, and, seeing the dilemma TJ was in, race to him and subdue the animal. TJ, worried for his hero, yet unable to speak, prayed for her safety. <>< <>< <>< <>< At the last instant before Diana’s pole came flying downward, Xin-Ling thought she heard the slide of flesh against metal. She twirled around just in time to see the pole her opponent was carrying start its move on a collision course with her face in a blow that, if it connected, would have brought the end of the Asian’s career. Quickly, Xin-Ling shot her staff upwards, holding it horizontal to the oncoming blow, stopping its deadly trajectory. A split second later, before her adversary had a chance to react, Xin-Ling’s knee found its way into Diana’s stomach, and as the assailant doubled in pain, Xin-Ling’s forearm came down in a blow to her opponent’s spine, sending her crashing into the pavement. Preferring to deal in hand-to-hand combat in this particular case, the Asian snatched the metal pole from where Diana had dropped it, and, tossing it like a javelin, hurled it off in the distance, followed by her own staff to avoid allowing Diana to gain control of it. Not a sound did Xin-Ling make as Diana slowly rose again to her feet. Her face was emotionless, a mask giving no clue to her thoughts or feelings; and her form was again flawless as she took up ready stance for Diana’s next assault. But Xin-Ling was not consciously expecting what happened next, as Diana put her fingers to her mouth and issued a shrill whistle. From out of the shadows, five additional figures came and stood with Diana, and, at her signal, began to surround the ensign. Xin-Ling tried to keep the threatening figures in sight, but, as they were now surrounding her, she found it impossible. Her hands were near her sides as she quickly turned to survey the death squad that soon would charge. … <>< <>< <>< <>< Alex watched the combat unfold between the hologram and Xin-Ling. Xin-Ling was walking quietly along the darkened street. She obviously could not hear her opponent as Diana slipped out from between two buildings and carefully crept up behind her to initiate combat. As Diana began her assault, Xin-Ling heard or sensed something turned and countered the assault so quickly that Alex couldn't quite tell what she had done. All he could see was Diana crashing to the pavement. Then, for some reason, Xin-Ling hurled the two poles well out of the combat area. Xin-Ling was preparing herself for the next conflict when Diana stuck her fingers into her mouth and gave a shrill whistle. Five large, shadowy figures emerged from the inky blackness and surrounded the Asian woman. Alex wasn't fond of the odds. He didn't mind training, but having a single person up against six, even in a holodeck, didn't strike him as very fair. Despite his aches, Alex picked up his staff and stood, planning on evening the odds in the fight in front of him. Immediately, Akleth strode over and blocked Alex's path. "Cadet Dixon, Xin-Ling has accepted this challenge, and she must face it alone" Akleth grated. I don't find these odds very fair, Sir" Alex replied, trying to see what was going on on the darkened street around the broad shoulders of the Klingon commander. "Cadet, you will find that in combat, along with many other things, that it isn't always fair, and you can either succumb to the odds with a whimper or you can fight with a roar. Which will you do?" Akleth's teeth were showing as he thought about what his option would be. "Yes, Sir." Alex replied. He returned to his spot with a grimace. He hoped Xin-Ling would win. <>< <>< <>< <>< Ever silent and ever expressionless, Xin-Ling turned her attention to the assailants who had positioned themselves on the other side of Diana the Terrible from the Asian warrior. Like the flash of a phaser beam, her hand flew from her side at waist level toward one of her opponents. The spectators heard a whistle of air. For Diana’s henchman, it was the last sound he heard. He sank slowly to his knees, his hand clutching at a dart that had struck at his stomach before he fell prone to the pavement, never to rise again. Twice more Xin-Ling turned, facing a new opponent, and twice more the horrible whistle of her missile of death sounded. Two more of her assailants met the end to their careers of violence at the hands of the petite Asian girl. Not willing to allow themselves to meet their deaths at the hands of the silent, lethal fighter they were facing, Diana’s two remaining thugs charged at her from both sides of Diana the Terrible with a roar. <>< <>< <>< <>< Those watching the scene were nonplused. Xin-Ling’s lightning-like moves were difficult to follow, but her skill was such that none wanted to miss the drama played out before them. Necks were craned, and there was some movement among them as a few tried to get better positions to see the unfolding battle. TJ was relieved Xin-Ling had not yet fallen, but being so open-faced, his expression was as clear to interpret as the Asian warrior’s was stoically unreadable. He had seen an example of Diana’s objectionable technique, and was worried the ensign would be caught unawares at one of Diana’s lethal violations of the Code of Honor. Once before, when they were captives on the Breen vessel, he had thought he saw the black-robed figure of Death approaching the four of them. Was Death now wearing 24th century street garb? <>< <>< <>< <>< In less than a second, the two charging brutes would bring Xin-Ling down. On an unconscious level, they realized something was wrong, yet their attack gave them no time to consider the strange fact that the delicate Asian before them displayed no emotion whatsoever, but stood as if nothing was happening. If she was frightened, they had no clue. Then it happened. Xin-Ling, up to this point, had been silent. Now, no longer. The savage war cry that had reverberated throughout the corridors of the Breen ship, bringing terror to the alien vessel, now sounded again in the streets of New York City. As it broke the silence, Xin-Ling made a flying leap to meet her opponents, and spun so rapidly the two charging men were caught off-guard, and each fell to a harsh roundhouse kick connecting with the their jaws. The two staggered momentarily, then fell, sightless eyes watching skyward, out for the remainder of the battle. Xin-Ling planted her feet wide apart, her left side facing Diana, her one remaining opponent, who had been watching her compatriots fall one after the other. The Asian’s left forearm was extended toward Diana, elbow at the waist with palm up, and her right was at shoulder-level behind her with her forearm raised and ready to strike, should her assailant attack again. They were not more than an arm’s length or so apart. "This can go one of two way," Xin-Ling said to Diana. "You turn and leave, and I let you walk away. Or you can join friends lying in alley. Your decision. What you choose?" "Thank you for allowing me the choice." Diana responded with a darkened countenance. "I choose this." Diana pulled out a phaser and aimed it at Xin-Ling, who jerked back and raised her hands in the air. The phaser was set to kill. <>< <>< <>< <>< A gasp escaped from some in Akleth’s class as they saw Diana swiftly draw the weapon. Those who did not gasp frowned in disapproval as it appeared Xin-Ling’s demise had come. As fast as the newcomer was, no one could out-maneuver a phaser blast. One or two expressed vocal disapproval of Diana’s tactics, among them TJ, who by this time had found his voice. <>< <>< <>< <>< For only a second Xin-Ling stood with hands upraised. As her opponent’s face cracked an evil smile, the Asian’s right foot came up from out of nowhere, striking the hand that held the deadly phaser, and the weapon flew out of reach of the holographic angel of death. Before Diana could recover from her surprise, Xin-Ling grabbed her opponent’s clothing at the collar and pulled her forward, and as the hologram stumbled past the Asian, the ensign brought her left elbow down on the back of Diana’s neck with such force that could be heard to the end of the darkened alley. Turning to face Diana as she rose to her feet once again, Xin-Ling stood, her face a mask of expressionlessness and her hands at readiness for battle. Nor did she have to wait long. Diana came at the Asian again. Diana’s ever-increasing fury now terrifying to behold, she raced to the tiny Asian girl. Instantly, Xin-Ling’s fist shot to Diana’s throat, stopping the hologram’s advance. Moving from the defensive mode toward the offensive, Xin-Ling advanced on her choking enemy. Her knee went deeply into Diana’s stomach, and taking her in both hands by her wrist and the back of her tunic, the ensign rolled her over her raised knee. "This is last warning you get. Stay down!" Diana would not listen. Instead, she struggled to her feet, attempted to shake off the pain, and prepared again to attack. It took her a few moments, as she had suffered much damage so far from the Asian’s maneuvers. But she was not yet out. Xin-Ling sighed with exasperation. She stood in ready stance, hands circling before her, waiting for her attacker once again. "Ah, well… You chose. Have it your way," the Asian said resignedly. For the first time since she had entered Commander Akleth’s class, Xin-Ling smiled. Broadly. She beckoned with the fingertips of her upraised hand for Diana to approach. With a sudden cry of rage that seemed to echo throughout the alleyway, Diana charged the small Asian with her fist drawn back to strike. One last time the terrifying war cry of Xin-Ling escaped from her lips, in response to the echo. As she came within reach at two arms-lengths, and Diana’s swing began to descend toward her opponent’s throat, Xin-Ling reached out, seizing the flying fist of the larger girl with her left hand. Diana was unprepared for what happened next. Xin-Ling’s right forearm came with lightning-like speed from below, under Diana’s caught arm, and at full power connected with a sickening crunch at the larger woman’s elbow. Diana cried out from the shock of the breakage. Continuing her war cry with each strike, Xin-Ling struck her opponent’s chest, forcing her backward, then followed her with repeated blows to her stomach. Diana could not double over in response to the pain, as her tormentor kept coming with a pummeling that, to Diana, seemed interminable. With each strike, Diana was forced backward, and with each strike, Xin-Ling advanced. Diana was confused as each blow came. Would they never end? Now breathless, she could not respond. Finally, the blows to her midsection stopped. Diana’s mental relief at the end of Xin-Ling’s assault to her stomach was short-lived, however, as now the back of the Asian’s forearm swung wide, striking her backhandedly on the side of her face, and Diana was supine on the pavement of the alley. With the swiftness of a cheetah, Xin-Ling leapt to her fallen foe’s side, dropped to one knee, and delivered a pile-driver blow to the solar plexus. Diana was unconscious. A spontaneous cheer erupted from the spectators. As they applauded, Xin-Ling stood and faced them. Straightening her long, raven-black hair, she turned to the class with a frown. "Some of you here watch this battle more closely than you listen to instructor. You are explorers. But you are also Starfleet. This mean you also soldiers! "You listen to this man," she said, her face furrowing with intensity as she indicated the Klingon instructor. "Learn what he tell you. One day your life depend on what he say today. "Today, you listen. Tomorrow, in battle, you live. You no listen … you die!" With that, Xin-Ling left the alleyway, making her way back to Barbara..
© Copyright 2007 G L Hickman (UN: garryhickman at Writing.Com).
All rights reserved.
G L Hickman has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
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